Nikon AI vs. AI-S lenses?

girlwithamoviecamera

girlwithamoviecamera

Active member
Hey guys. First off, I apologize if my question may seem retarded, but I've done a bit of research online and found no answer to my question.

I just purchased a Sony EX1 camera, and I plan on ordering soon the Letus Extreme adapter, which I plan on using with Nikon lenses.

Now, a nearby photo store with excellent deals on good, second hand Nikon cameras & lenses offers all the lenses I am looking for, namely:

- 28mm f2
- 50mm f1.4
- 85mm f1.4

Problem is, some of them are listed as being AI and some AIS. (AI = auto indexing; AIS = auto indexing shutter). I read about the difference in between the two on a site (http://www.cameraquest.com/aidaiais.htm) but I'm still puzzled regarding the difference in between the two if used with the Letus Extreme.

So,

Q #1 : What is best for the Letus+EX1 combo? Nikon AI or Nikon AIS?

Q #2 : What if I planned to use the lenses on a Nikon D80 digital camera? Would that make a difference, too?

Thanks,

Elena
 
I'm No expert but I have both AI and AI-S lenses for my Letus Extreme and they work fine. I am not sure of image difference, if any. check out www.keh.com for great deals on lenses as well. good luck. The LEX is an awesome piece.
 
AI is built just as good or better and are almost always cheaper.

They are older though so may have some problems with the way they've been cared for, but if you can find a good quality AI lens for less than its AIS counterpart. Go with the AI.

No difference on a D80 at all.
 
Hi guys. Thanks for your answers.

To make my question more specific, I wanted to know if there are any operating differences between the two types of lenses (i.e. when focusing, while shooting) and/or output differences.

From what I've read online, AI seems to be recommended over AIS (like Brad said). I'll ask at the camera shop; otherwise, I guess I'll go with AI whenever available.

cheers,
 
Be careful not to discard so readily AI-S lenses though, as some of them have improved optic formulas over their AI counterparts, which sometimes means better image definition (less CAs, less flare, more sharpness at corners, etc.) at wide apertures.

You could always check out www.kenrockwell.com for more info about specific Nikon lenses, he's a great Nikon expert.

Hope this helps!
 
girlwithamoviecamera said:
Hi guys. Thanks for your answers.

To make my question more specific, I wanted to know if there are any operating differences between the two types of lenses (i.e. when focusing, while shooting) and/or output differences.

From what I've read online, AI seems to be recommended over AIS (like Brad said). I'll ask at the camera shop; otherwise, I guess I'll go with AI whenever available.

cheers,
Click to expand...


There are no operating differences on a lens adapter with either style of lens.

.
 
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